Coleman’s happy with a late point at old club

By Ray Booth

ACCRINGTON ST 1

Ward 45+2

ACCRINGTON: Crellin 6, Matthews 7, Rawson 7, Ward 8, Love 7, Conneely 6 (Coyle 63, 6), Woods 7, Batty 7 (Quirk 72, 6), O’Brien-Whitmarsh 6 (Woods 63, 6), Walton 6, Mooney 6 (Grant 82). Subs not used: Kelly, Caton, Aljofree.

GILLINGHAM 1

Clark 90+4

GILLINGHAM: Morris 6, Smith 6, Masterson 7 (Ehmer 86), Gale 7, Hutton 7, McKenzie 6 (Williams 86), Little 7, Clark 8, Morgan 6 (Khumbeni 79, 6), Gbode 6 (Wakeling 79, 6), Hawkins 7 (Nevitt 63, 6). Subs not used: Turner, Corness.

Att: 2,449 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Charles Breakspear 6/10

EMOTIONAL John Coleman had the last laugh on his return to his old club after Max Clark smashed home an injury-time leveller for his Gillingham side.

Clark’s late intervention denied his old Accrington side the win after they led through Benn Ward’s goal on the strole of half-time.

Coleman was manager of the Reds for more than 20 years, leading them from NonLeague into the EFL, but was dismissed in March 2024.

“Myself and Jimmy Bell were big part of Accrington for a long time and I would have been disappointeddto lose here,” said Coleman.

“I did get a bit emotional at the end, especially with the nice tributes the fans paid to us.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to come, if I could have managed from my armchair I would but I was pleased with the reception and pleased it is over.

“It’s nice to look back, but I have a job to do at Gillingham, myself and Jimmy are very passionate about Gillingham.”

On the game he said: “I didn’t like the game, there wasn’t a lot of quality, not much goalmouth action, and both teams can play better.

“We fell asleep for their free-kick and then I felt we took control in the second half, but we didn’t trouble their keeper and that’s what has plagued us all season.

“But it was a great move for the free-kick and the strike from Max was fantastic.”

It was a competitive opening with Gills keeper Glenn Morris producing a superb double save, keeping out Jake Batty’s fierce drive and a Ben Woods strike.

The Reds continued to create the better chances with Kelsey Mooney unable to hit the target from close range.

Stanley broke the deadlock in the third minute of added time when a Woods free-kick was fired home by the inrushing Ward.

Gillingham still struggled to trouble Stanley keeper Billy Crellin until Clark’s late heroics – their only shot on target in the game.

Armani Little’s short free-kick was blasted home by Clark.

Stanley manager John Doolan said: “It’s two points dropped, it’s frustrating because I could see what’s going to happen. We have to defend better.

“The first 20 minutes I felt there was only one team going to win it. We had the better chances.

“They only had one shot on goal and that’s gone into the back of the net.”